Wellington Hurricanes' flanker-cum-lock Inoke Afeaki has been given a temporary suspension by the NZRFU judicial committee after admitting that he had punched a Crusaders' player on Friday.

Afeaki, who admitted the offence, was cited by the Citing Commissioner, but the judicial committee ruled that the offence was clearly visible and should have been dealt with by the match officials.

Afeaki's previously good disciplinary record was also taken into consideration, but he was warned that he would have to re-appear before the Committee in the event of receiving two further yellow cards this season.

The verdict was , in effect, a suspended sentence as Afeaki is free to play in the Hurricanes' next match against the Brumbies in two weeks' time.